Recently I have the great fortune to be starting with a new Intro to Oil painting crew! We are working on our first project: a single white object. We will analyze the values, study the form in space and use a limited palette. Here are some examples of the initial value drawings of our simple white objects:
We are studying value using a strong light source. A compositional grid helps place the object and the cast shadows along the sweet spots of line and corner intersections. Close attention is also paid to the subtle details of the decorative aspects of the simple objects, which can often turn out to be a dynamic aspect of the painting.
And now here is my graphite study of a small marble bowl:
And an example of an older painting with the limited palette scale that we will use for the actual painting (ultramarine blue and burnt sienna).